Puno has adequate restaurant facilities with a large variety of local and international dishes at prices to suit all budgets. The visitor should bear in mind, however, that due to the city's altitude, it's advisable to eat lightly as food takes longer to digest than at sea level. Try to avoid rice-based dishes, as due to the peculiar atmospheric conditions caused by the region's high altitude, this grain never quite cooks properly.

Keeping these precautions in mind, do try typical dishes such as "lechon al horno", baked pork marinated with white wine, lemon and red pepper; "Chairo", a soup prepared with lamb, "chalona", a form of dried meat, green lima beans, potatoes and black "chuño" (dehydrated potato).

On treks and excursions, it's good to take "Huaitia" as a snack. This is a stew made with potatoes and "ocas", a typical Andean plant, prepared in a "curpa", or mud hearth kindled with firewood, and served with slices of cheese. Trout and fried "suche", a local fish, are also recommended. For dessert, try "quesillo" boiled cheese fritters, fried in oil and served with honey.